WASHINGTON, D.C.- The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Make America Secure Appropriations Act (H.R. 3219). This legislative package will ensure that American citizens are kept safe at home and abroad. U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (TX-08) released the following statement:

“This President and this Congress are fully committed to putting the safety of the American people first. This legislation funds the most critical functions of government. It bolsters military readiness, ensures our veterans get the care they deserve, and gives our troops a well-earned pay raise. Additionally, this bill takes a huge step forward in securing our southern borders once and for all by prioritizing construction of a border wall with Mexico. I am proud to support this bill.”

BACKGROUND:The Make America Secure Appropriations Act is made up of the Defense, Military Construction & Veterans Affairs, Energy & Water, and Legislative Branch appropriations bills, and includes additional funding for border wall construction.

Highlights Include:

DEFENSEProvides $651.8 billion for the Department of Defense, which provides much-needed funding to rebuild our military and restore troop readiness. This includes priorities like meeting the Armed Services’ unfunded equipment requirements, $84.3 billion in military research and development, funding for Israeli missile defense, and a 2.4% pay raise for the troops.

BORDER WALL FUNDINGFully funds President Trump’s request of $1.57 billion for construction of physical barriers on the Southern border, including a combined 60 miles of new fencing and wall in Texas.

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION & VETERANS AFFAIRSProvides $78.3 billion in discretionary funding for the VA, with $69 billion dedicated to medical care for our veterans. Also boosts funding for military family housing and medical facilities, while continuing the prohibition on closing Guantanamo Bay.

ENERGY & WATERProvides $13.9 billion in nuclear weapons security. The bill provides $6.16 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers to focus on jobs that increase public safety, job creation, and economic growth- including projects that will help the functionality of our Texas ports. The bill also allows the Administrator of the EPA and Secretary of the Army Corp. of Engineers to withdraw from the WOTUS rule, which helps our local farmers, ranchers, and landowners.

LEGISLATIVE BRANCHFunds both the House and Senate so that they may continue their work to represent the American people. This includes funding for the Capitol Police, and freezes Members of Congress’ pay – preventing any pay raise in FY2018.